by Richmond W | May 13, 2015 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Summer, UA-Affiliate
“To study abroad or not to study abroad?” This question rang in my head many times while I have been in college. Will it be too expensive? Will I enjoy it? Where will I go? All these questions were thoughts I had before choosing my study abroad program and...
by Hayden A | May 13, 2015 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Summer, UA-Affiliate
Right now, the best state to describe myself in is limbo. The inbetween place. The between state of an ending school year and beginning an adventure in Barcelona. Its a good place to be though. Its a place of preparation, excitement, and anticipation. Having planned...
by Haley T | May 11, 2015 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Next Friday, I will return home to the United States. It’s crazy to think that I have been living in Florence for four months now and Florence is now my home. I’m not sure when the transition happened from a city in Italy to becoming my home but I am in...
by Carly J | May 11, 2015 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
I’ve always been one for adventure and experiencing different ways of life. I have a wanderlust that has taken me as near as some of the local treasures surrounding Tuscaloosa, and as far as Central America. Even with some travel experience under my belt, I...
by Caitlyn S | May 11, 2015 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
I never thought that I would be packing for all four seasons in one small suitcase, but here I am. I’m still not sure how I’m going to do it. In just over a month, I’ll be departing my quiet home in the Mississippi country for a five-week adventure...
by Claire N | May 11, 2015 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led
I started planning this trip in November, and it always seemed like something to look forward to. Now, as I have just four more days to prepare, I am a little overwhelmed, but incredibly excited. I never thought it would actually get here. So far, I have started...
by Caitlin F | May 10, 2015 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA Non-Affiliate
As I study for exams on this beautiful spring morning in my favorite café in Salamanca, I am forced to come to terms with the fact that my time in Europe is coming to an end. I started off the semester considering Salamanca merely a place I would vacation for a bit,...
by Sydney W | May 8, 2015 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
I cannot believe I am already packing my bags and preparing for finals. In some ways it seems like I just left the United States but in other ways it feels like I have been gone forever and have no idea what songs are even popular at home. Luckily I have all summer to...
by Jennifer N | May 8, 2015 | Asia, Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Ever since I was a freshman in college I have wanted to study abroad. However, because of multiple reasons, I was unable to fulfill this dream. I knew that I would learn a great deal, not only in the classroom but about culture and life in another country. I have...
by Matthew S | May 5, 2015 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA Non-Affiliate
I landed in Frankfurt International Airport on January 2nd, and was glad to see that the signs were bilingual. My professors however, were bilingual as well, and had already started the German lessons. This was my first time in the European Mainland, and so far I was...
by Anthony B | May 5, 2015 | All Year, Commerce & Business, Europe, UA-Affiliate
It’s hard to believe that my time here in England has nearly come to its end. Studying abroad for an entire school year has been the most rewarding, yet most challenging thing that I’ve ever done. If I had the chance to go back before deciding to come,...
by Caitlin F | May 5, 2015 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
I wasn’t going to go to Dublin. “One day,” I promised myself. The flight itself was pricey, and that didn’t count the costs of spending a weekend in one of the most expensive cities in Europe. I wasn’t going to go. But then, my political science professor (God bless...
by Caitlin F | May 5, 2015 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA Non-Affiliate
In many ways, I have revolved my entire college experience around this semester. I loaded up on classes at Alabama so that I would be able to graduate on time. I chose to minor in Spanish so that I would be able to communicate when I arrived (or so I thought). I saved...
by Nicholas F | May 5, 2015 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Exchange, Semester
Spring vacation was an amazing experience. While most of my friends opted to travel outside Italy, I decided to stay and explore outside Milan. A friend and I chose to travel to Sicily for five days, going to Palermo, Messina, and Catania. We spent several days in...
by Elizabeth S | Apr 29, 2015 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Over the past few months studying in Prague, friends and family have seen my many travel photos and asked if I actually take classes. They are probably (prague-ably) joking, but also I think Mom in particular likes to hear confirmation that I go to school. Maybe other...
by Jacqueline V | Apr 29, 2015 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
While I’m no Buzzfeed writer, these 7 pieces of advice will help anyone ease into la vida Española. Coins are gold! No not actual gold, but your euro coins should be valued. In the United States, we often see change in the form of coins as a nuisance- something found...
by Lucas L | Apr 29, 2015 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
I’d like to have a conversation about friends and loved ones both at home and in your host country. It has been very easy during my time here to allow myself to fall into the habit of putting off a Skype session here or there with people back home, and while...
by Jacob B | Apr 28, 2015 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Well, after a wonderful semester, I just completed my last weekend of the academic semester…weird! So, it is finals week…ugh. But let’s forget about that quickly and recap my weekend in the Amalfi Coast area… Thursday night I left with a group...
by Lucas L | Apr 28, 2015 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Exchange, Semester
“When deciding what to bring on a study abroad trip, you walk a very fine line. The trick is to cover as many potential disasters and weather changes as possible while bringing the least amount of stuff. Sounds like a challenge, right? That’s because it...
by Bonnie G | Apr 28, 2015 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
At the University of Limerick, there is an Outdoor Pursuits Club that does outdoor activities throughout the semester. I always participated in the hiking days, but I decided to do something out of my comfort zone. I went caving. When I say caving, I mean legit, wet...